The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 234

"Ah?" ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‍The little devil tilted his head and thought for a moment, as if there really were some, "Zhao Gao, Liang Ji, Qin Hui... they harmed a lot of good people."

Xu Wan nodded and said, "The most frightening thing is when bad people are clever and eloquent, easily deceiving those in power, or even the masses."

Zong Jincheng lowered his head and muttered, "Then I need to study this carefully."

As he spoke, he turned back to the large study, still pondering what corrupt officials were thinking. Why would they choose to oppress others instead of living a good life?

Xu Wan arranged for the two new tutors to settle into the Marquis Manor. Jiang Yan, a scholar who had passed the imperial examination, was responsible for Shen Yibai, while the other, named Xu Jin, was Cheng Zhidong's cousin and was in charge of Wei Xinglu.

While arranging accommodations for the two children with Cui Zhi, Xu Wan joked, "Thank goodness our Marquis Manor is spacious, or we would have run out of room long ago."

Cui Zhi raised an eyebrow and said, "Madam, don't worry. There's an empty house next to our Marquis Manor that the old madam purchased a while ago. If we run out of space, we can connect the two by breaking through the wall."

Xu Wan: "..." That might be a bit excessive.

Five children were already enough. Any more, and this place would truly become a small academy.

Zhao Yin showed the two new tutors around the estate. Under their constant expressions of amazement, Zhao Yin realized that the Marquis Manor's elite class was far ahead of any external academies.

Xu Jin remarked, "No wonder the two young masters passed the Childhood Scholar exam in just one year."

Zhao Yin smiled and said, "You two need to work hard too. For next year's Childhood Scholar exam, let's aim to have these two young masters pass as well."

Unaware of Shen Yibai and Wei Xinglu's actual abilities, the two tutors confidently replied, "Brother, don't worry. With your successful example ahead of us, we will definitely strive to keep up."

Zhao Yin secretly chuckled but maintained a serious expression. "It's hard work, but keep at it."

"Mm!" "Mm!"

Jiang Yan and Xu Jin, being newly appointed scholars, had strong learning abilities and quickly got up to speed. They guided the two young masters in discussing the angles for their next debate topic and then delved into the biographies of good and bad officials.

The more Shen Yibai studied, the more he felt something was off. Finally, he managed to grasp a bit of it: "Wait, we're on the side of the good officials. Why do I need to understand the bad ones?"

Wei Xinglu chimed in beside him, "Yeah, aren't Jincheng and Wenxiu only studying their respective sides? Why do we have to learn about both?"

He Zheng timidly raised his hand from the side, "Brothers, don't forget about me. I'm studying both sides too. Because they already have a deep understanding of historical figures, they only need to focus on their own debate topics."

Wei Xinglu was baffled. He gritted his teeth and said, "Jincheng knows everything too? He's only been studying for a year. How can he know so much?"

Shen Yibai was equally unconvinced, "Exactly, a year is way too short. Did Jincheng secretly study behind our backs?"

The little devil was busy flipping through books in the large study and didn't participate in their discussion. Even if he heard them, he pretended not to, focusing intently on his reading.

Wei Xinglu found it even stranger. In the past, his friend would have immediately jumped into the argument to brag. Why was he so composed now?

Was he really not possessed by some kind of book-devouring or studying ghost?

He Zheng threw a book at them, "Come on, read with me. Passing the Childhood Scholar exam in a year is nothing. If we study hard, we can all pass next year. I even aim to come in first place."

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Shen Yibai and Wei Xinglu instinctively caught the book. Wei Xinglu exclaimed, "You're starting to sound as arrogant as Jincheng! First place in the Childhood Scholar exam? You really dare to dream!"

He Zheng grinned, "There's still a year left. By then, I'll definitely be beyond just first place in the Childhood Scholar exam."

Wei Xinglu: "..." The more you talk, the more you brag.

Shen Yibai: "Pfft."

He Zheng held the book and went to join Zong Jincheng, hoping to ask him questions whenever he didn't understand something.

However, Zong Jincheng wasn't known for his patience. He told He Zheng to stop bothering him and wait until he was done before explaining. He Zheng obediently complied.

Shen Yibai was puzzled, "I remember He Zheng is a year older than Jincheng, right? Why does he act like Jincheng's little brother?"

Wei Xinglu rested his chin on his hand and pondered, "Both of them are working so hard. If we don't study, will we even be able to argue against them about corrupt officials?"

Shen Yibai immediately retorted, "No way! Corrupt officials are universally despised. If he can win that argument, I'll give him my head to kick!"

Wei Xinglu: "..." Brother, no need to bet that big.

Jiang Yan brought over a book of famous biographies for Shen Yibai to read. Shen Yibai flipped through it casually and said, "Jiang Ziya, Zhuge Liang, Bao Zheng... these are all well-known ministers. Who doesn't know about them? How could we possibly lose with this?"

Wei Xinglu shook his head at his arrogance, "Bro, have you forgotten how Jincheng beat us in the debate?"

"That's because he had the right argument," Shen Yibai insisted.

Jiang Yan, who had been listening to their conversation, found it both amusing and frustrating. The side with the most logical argument in that debate was clearly Shen Yibai's, but the three of them were too weak to win.

Shen Yibai noticed Jiang Yan laughing at them and quickly turned his attention to him, "Teacher Jiang, do you have a way to beat Jincheng in a debate?"

Jiang Yan smiled, "Of course, all of us tutors can beat Jincheng in a debate."

Shen Yibai's eyes lit up, "A savior!!!"

Wei Xinglu also hurried over, "Teacher Jiang, you're that amazing? Tell us, how would you have won if you were in that debate?"

Jiang Yan had already heard about the previous day's debate from Zhao Yin. Once again, he marveled at Madam Xu Wan's ingenious ideas, but he also thought that if the other three hadn't been so weak, Jincheng and Wenxiu wouldn't have been able to silence them so quickly.

He thought for a moment and advised, "Actually, Jincheng used average life expectancy as an example to show an upward trend, making you believe that an eleven-year-old becoming a top scholar in the future was very possible. Conversely, couldn't you also find examples of downward trends to make them believe it would become increasingly difficult?"

"But his father really did become a top scholar at fifteen, breaking the youngest age record for the imperial exams..." Shen Yibai, still reeling from the debate, was in a state of reluctant admiration.

Jiang Yan explained, "There's a way to counter that, and it lies in the Childhood Scholar exam. The foundation for an eleven-year-old becoming a top scholar must be built through the Childhood Scholar exam, which allows exceptional candidates to take the imperial exams early. However, the Childhood Scholar exam has been on a downward trend. Initially, passing it meant you could become an official immediately, but later it was changed so that you had to wait until adulthood. Now, it only offers the chance to take the imperial exams early. What does that tell you?"

The two boys suddenly had an epiphany, their eyes widening in realization.